KATHMANDU: The government today tabled two Bills at the parliament with the aim of developing energy sector, encouraging national and foreign investment and better regulate the electricity areas. The proposed ‘Electricity Bill, 2065’ has amended and integrated energy-related legal provisions while ‘Nepal Electricity Regulation Commission Bill, 2065’ has provisioned formation of a commission to regulate the electricity sector. Tabling the Bills, Minister for Energy Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said the new law would encourage investors and discourage those holding license for hydropower projects without doing any work. The proposed laws, once endorsed by the House, will guarantee rights for locals in hydropower project areas, he said. The laws will also create bases for developing the solar and other energy areas in the country. The proposed laws encompass provisions on licensing, royalty and other international values of energy sector, the Minister noted. “Endorsement of the Bills will create an atmosphere conducive for developing the energy sector and encourage internal and foreign investors,” the minister added. The proposed commission is intended to make electricity generation, transmission and distribution or business easier, systematic and transparent. It also aims at balancing demand and supply sides, regulating electricity tariff, protecting rights of electricity users, making electricity market competitive and electricity service reliable.The commission is also mandated to determine the bases of tariff. It will also determine process of electricity purchase from power producers.